It has given up the ghost. I did not like the service I got from this equipment. It was only about fifty percent confident at providing accurate speed data.

I had it reconditioned by the factory and it has now failed completely, giving an error all of the time.

My natural reaction is to go with a different brand such as a Prochrono. But I must admit that the Shooting Chrony was purchased used and for a while I used it relatively close to the muzzle which may have, A) produced unreliable speeds because of all of the other stuff that comes out of the barrel and B) fowled the optics.

Can anyone provide advice as to which chronograph they like and why?

Tnx,

Erich

November 9, 2009, 10:57 AM

You might not like this answer, but I like Shooting Chronys - they've worked for me since the '80s and their customer service (when I shoot them!) is always right on.

Doc Hoy

November 9, 2009, 12:35 PM

The few times I could get this thing to work, I got nice consistent results but that was such a rare occassion that I really got hacked off at this thing.

As I said, I bought it used and guaranteed working. Well, when it arrived it did not even have the right cable. (So much for guarantees)

I sent it back to the shooting Chrony folks with 30 bucks for a reconditioning. Got it back pretty quick and it worked somewhat. I was using it too close to the muzzle and so I think that all of the smoke was interferring with the readings. I moved it out to ten feet and promptly shot it (just a little nick in the corner) Didn't even knock it over. Used it for a little while with not much more consistency than I had before moving it.

I might have jarred something loose when I shot it, or I might have fouled up the optics with soot because of placing it so close to the muzzle.

So I can't say that I have given up on Chrony, just this Chrony. You are not alone in your admiration for the brand.

I'll wait for some additional thoughts but I am mighty grateful for your post.

arcticap

November 9, 2009, 01:16 PM

I don't have one or know much about them but for some reason I like the ones by Pact with a starting price of $129.99. Maybe it's because the main unit isn't in the line of fire only to get damaged by an errant shot. And I also think that the price of the base model is reasonable.

I have a CED which has done well since I got the IR illuminators.
It seems to have a lot of pieces to assemble before you are ready to shoot, though.

A friend has a PACT with their IR which seems a neater package.

Either way, the IR illuminators are a big help in getting consistent readings, no need to worry about the daylight angle and brightness. Adds to the cost, of course.

Doc Hoy

November 9, 2009, 04:44 PM

Hmmm....IR illuminators....A new wrinkle...

Thanks.

grymster2007

November 9, 2009, 09:40 PM

Is it really possible to shoot your equipment, resting ten feet from the muzzle? I'll believe you all if you say so, but seems to me you'd have to work at it.

Nnobby45

November 9, 2009, 10:51 PM

Can anyone provide advice as to which chronograph they like and why?

Seems to be a number of good ones out there. My only experience is with those made by Competition Electronics.

Their early model, and now the ProTach digital. Simple, it works, and their folks are easy to deal with.

I once was out using mine and got hit by a strong hail storm. I headed for the car, and left the chrono outside.
Hail was packed into the sensors and it wouldn't work. Thought it was ruined. Took it home, found it easy to take apart, I dried it out, put it back together and it worked like new---until it blew over hard in a strong wind (I shouldn't have been using it), from which it didn't recover. I ordered a new one-- they aren't that expensive--- and I've been back in business for a while now.

Doc Hoy

November 10, 2009, 05:43 AM

To Grymster,

I shot mine when it was three feet from the muzzle. I was making the mistake of thinking that in order to get more consistent reports from the device I needed to put the bullet close to the Chrony rather than higher up in the middle of the field. It didn't take much of a mistake to hit the case of the device. I still don't think I harmed the operation of the thing when I hit it. The Chrony blew over in the wind and because the shot was close to the case in the first place, the movement of the Chrony resulted in the bullet nicking the corner of the case.

When I get my next Chronograph I will start with it closer to the muzzle, probably six feet, and move it out until I get good consistent reporting. I have no reason to dispute those among us who say that ten feet is right, but I am willing to experiment with closer placement.

I took a look at the Pact and I like it because the display and controls can be placed on the shooting bench so that you have access to it without moving. My Chrony has the remote unit and it is a good feature.

To Nnobby,

Thanks for the input. ProTach is not one of the ones (that I can remember) that I saw on the CE website. I will take another look. Once I get the replacement Chronograph, I will take this one apart and see if I can get it working again. If I do, it'll be for sale cheap.

darkgael

November 10, 2009, 07:42 AM

At least 10 feet. Shooting BP or a sub, maybe you'd want 15 to 20.
That three foot distance was asking for trouble.
The photocells are quite sensitive and will read the muzzle blast as well as the bullet if too close.
Aim for and shoot through the widest part of the window.
Pete

grymster2007

November 10, 2009, 10:23 AM

I was making the mistake of thinking that in order to get more consistent reports from the device I needed to put the bullet close to the Chrony rather than higher up in the middle of the field. OK, I can see that. I've never used one so I always wondered how people that could shoot one or two inch groups at a 100 yards could fail to clear a couple pretty good size wire hoops at 10 feet. :)

Nnobby45

November 10, 2009, 05:38 PM

The sensors sit below and are protected, and won't be harmed by the muzzle blast. However, the blast can interfere with readings.

I had the original Competition Electronics with remote sensor unit connected to the readout and controls by plug in cords. No danger of shooting the controls, but when shooting .22 centerfire rifles, I had to shoot very close to the sensors to get readings, and hit the unit damaging the sensor on one occasion. Oops! Their customer service had me a new sensor in short order.

The new Pro Tach digital is an all in one unit, but the good news is that it's a much improved model, and shooting close to the unit isn't necessary . Even with high speed rifle. With pistol, one can shoot "way up there".

Doc Hoy

November 10, 2009, 07:02 PM

On the Shooting Chrony website, there is an offer to upgrade from an existing Chrony to a better model. You send them your unit plus a little bit of cash and they send you a new upgraded unit. It looks like about a 50 dollar trade in value.

In the ad, they say that it does not matter what condition the trade-in is in. They will even take Chronys that have bullet holes.

I thought that was quite humorous.

Your problem was essentially my problem. I was placing the shots very close to the case and the wind caught it and flipped it on its side just as I fired. At first I did not think I hit it becasue there was no obvious change in the way it was moving. But then I examined it and saw the nick on one corner.